Mormonism: Wentworth Letter

The Wentworth Letter was written by Joseph Smith, the so called ‘founder’ of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph Smith was approached by a man named John Wentworth who was an editor and proprietor of the Chicago Democrat. John Wentworth asked Joseph Smith, the President and Prophet at the time, for information about Mormonism in behalf of a friend, Mr. Barstow, who was writing the history of New Hampshire.

Joseph Smith wrote about their own beliefs and how they differed from other religions of their time. Joseph asked that the content and material that was stated and submitted to them would be published in its full and altered state. Within the letters Joseph gave an account of his life beginning from his birth all the way until the present time. Smith recounted as well the organization of the Church including the dealings and persecution in which they had been inflicted to as the work progressed and their lives continued on, along with two of the most influential items contained within. These two matters within the letter are known today as the Standard of Truth (missionary’s mission statement) and the 13 Articles of Faith.
An Elder B. H. Roberts stated this about the Wentworth Letter:
“The letter is one of the choicest documents in our church literature; as also it is the earliest published document by the Prophet personally, making any pretension to consecutive narrative of those events in which the great Latter-day work had its origin. … For combining conciseness of statement with comprehensiveness of treatment of the subject with which it deals, it has few equals among historical documents, and certainly none that excel it in our church literature.” 

The Articles of Faith:

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on [of] hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.